Recently a major fire broke out in Bandhavgarh National Park and spread over six forest range of reserve (100 square kms of area) within two days. As per information, the fire caused massive damage to the Reserve and it is one of the largest biospheres of India .The fire broke out in the park on March 29 (Monday) and spread to six forest ranges till Tuesday evening. Though Reserve officials claimed to have control over fire by Tuesday night but a few parts of the reserve were in flames on Wednesday.
Local environmentalists and activists raised concern over possible loss to wildlife especially tigers. They sought help from Government via Twitter and other social media sites. Blaze also reached Khitauli and Magdhi range which are quite popular for tiger sighting. Local villagers said that authorities did not take prompt action when fire broke out. Forest officials believe that the fire was caused due to villagers who usually set Sal leaves lying on ground a fire to collect Mahua and other non-timber forest produce. Apart from forest officials, local villagers worked together to have control over fire on Wednesday morning. The reserve is known for population of tigers and leopards in the country. Principal Secretary, Forest, informed that fire incident has been controlled and there has been no loss of any kind and casualty of wildlife has been detected. Forest Department teams are stationed in area. An action plan has been prepared to control cause of fire.
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